Reflecting-signal device



v Dec. 6, 1927.

' 1,652,138 T. L. BOYDEN REFLECTING SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Dec. 16. 1926 'Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,652,138 PATENT OFFICE.

rIIonIAs -L. BoYDEN, or VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR or on- IIALE T0 JOHN HART, .OF VANCOUVER, CANADA, AND HENRY HALL, 0E VIC- 'roBIA, CANADA.

- Application filed December 16, 1926, Serial No. 155,239, and in Canada December 17, 1925.

This invention relates to reflecting signal devices such as are employed at abrupt turns or other danger points on highways to intercept the beamof light from an approaching automobile headlight and after filtering the same througha suitable medium reflect it back as a danger signal.

Its objects are to provide such a device in a more eflicient as well as cheaper form than those hitherto in vogue, and particularly to produce a warning signal which shall have a measure of scintillating effect and therefore of a more arresting character to an approaching vehicle.

I am aware that there are now in use signal reflectors for the same general purpose but they are not adapted to so readily intercept and refle'ct light rays from vehicles approaching at various angles-as'can be effected by my device.

In the drawings herewith which form part of this application Fig. 1 is aplan View of my reflecting device, shown with the right hand half of the faceplate removed, Filg. 2

being a cross section on line A- B, and 3 a similar cross section but showing a variant in the form of tlIeface-plate.

The reflecting member of the device consists of a series of square pyramids ((1) arranged side by side' in both directions, and --mounted on a plane surface either flat or curved. The pyramids are identical and their vertices are so arranged that the sides of adjacent and opposite pyramids make angles of 90 degrees with each other as shown at (b). The reflectingmember may be ofany material suitable for the purpose, but I prefer to employ glass coated at the back (0) with the mercury composition usually employed for mirrors, the composition being afterwards sealed with bitumen or other suitable damp-resisting compound to exclude the possibility of deterioration by moisture. The

, reflecting member is mounted in a suitable casing (d) and is secured by theclamping member (0) and the gasket (f) the latter being held by the glass face-plate (g) the gasket (h) intervenmg.

The face-plate (g) is divided checkerboard fashion as shown, with alternate squares of red glass or other similar medium,

so that the incident light rays passing through it are reflected back as a warning signal.

field are intercepted and made available as a warning signal, than is possible with reflectors of this class which are now in vogue.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by.Letters Patent, is:

1. In a signaling reflector of the type describedthe combination comprising: a reflector having a multiform surface produced by a series of square pyramids, the bases of said pyramids being placed side by side in both directions, the said pyramids being so proportioned that adjacent and opposite sides of any two pyramids form an angle of 90 degrees with each other, the said reflector being covered by a transparent face-plate, the said face-plate being sub-divided into alternate clear and colored squares, the said squares corresponding to and being coincident with and opposite to the bases of the said pyramidsthus producingla checkerboard arrangement.

2. In a signaling reflector of .the type described the combination comprising, a glass reflector consisting of a series of square pyramids, the bases of'said pyramids being placed side by side in both directions, the said pyramids beingso proportioned that the adjacent and opposite sides of any two pyramids form an angle of 90 degrees with each other, the said reflector being coated on one side witln the metallic composition usually employed for producing mirrors, the said composition being covered with a moisture resisting paint, the face of the said reflector being covered by a transparent plate, the said plate being subdivided into alternate clear and colored squares corresponding to and being coincident with and opposite to the bases of the'said pyramids.

3. In a signaling reflector of the type described the combination com rising: a multifacet reflecting surface 0 the type described in claim 2, but in which the plane of the bases of the said pyramids is curved, a transparent face-plate covering the said reflecting surface and parallel to the said plane of thebases of the said pyramids, the said face-plate being subdivided into alternate clear and colored squares, the said squares corresponding to and being coincident with and opposite to the bases 'of the said pyramids.

4. In a signaling reflector of the type described the combination comprising; a refiector havin a multiform surface produced by a series 0 square pyramids, the bases of said pyramids being ad'acent each other in both directions, the sai pyramids being so salt commonly used for mirrors, the face of said reflector being covered by a transparent plate, the said plate bein subdivided into alternate clear and colore squares, the said squares corresponding to and being coincident with and opposite to the bases of the said pyramids, the said-clear squares being embossed with a lens-like projection, all substantially as described and shown.

THOMAS L. BOYDEN. 

